This one is bitter sweet. This is my oldest, hes 13 but he's harder working and more responsible than most 30 year olds. This year he grew 2 acres of corn, with minimal help from me or his grandpa. Planted with a 50 year old 2 row planter and picked with a wore out one row picker that's just as old.
Out of the blue one day this season he calls me while I'm on the way home from work he ask if he could hunt the stand he had been baiting, alone for the first time. He just bought a new rifle with his own money so he was itching to shoot something with it. After a reminder on safety and making sure his phone is charged I approved and off he went.
30 mins before dark my wife ask if I had heard from him and just as I was about to respond I hear a shot. Then my phone rings. I was already headed to the truck when I answered and he was so excited he couldn't even talk.
It wasn't his first or biggest deer but the sense of accomplishment I got from him made me proud. I love the young man he's becoming but I'm also not ready for him to grow up so fast.
Here's one from Montana. This view was from off the trail we had walked several times while chasing a bull elk. We were so intent on keeping up with the bull we missed this incredible vista.
This was my son's first deer opening weekend of archery season. He sat alone with me close by in another stand and I heard the deer crash, shortly after I got a text from him. I think I was just as excited that he finally connected on one.
My daughter's 2nd deer and the morning she got him. It was coldddddd. My dad bought me that orange boggin she is wearing when I was 12 and starting to deer hunt.